A few particulars concerning Chang-Eng, the united Siamese brothers

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A FEW PARTICULARS

CONCERNING

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THE UNITED SIAMESE BROTHERS,

PUBLISHED UNDER THEIR OWN DIRECTION.

" Union and Liberty, one and inseparable, now and for ever.

NEW YORK:

PRINTED BY J. M. ELLIOTT, 6 LITTLE GREEN STREET.

I83G.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1936, by Job., M. Elliott, B the Clerk's

Office for the Southern District of New York.

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INTRODUCTION.

The pamphlets concerning Chang-Eng, which
have been published previous to this time, were
written before the period at which they became of
age, and also before they understood the English
language. Under these circumstances, the present
statement has been written with their knowledge,
and under their supervision. Great care has been
taken to render it as correct as possible, and the
account of their journeyings has been brought
down to the present date.

It is deemed proper to state, that the present
publication is made for a two-fold purpose : in the
first place, and more particularly, to correct any
erroneous statements which may have occurred in
previous publications ; and secondly, to convey to
the public some idea of the immense expanse of
country which they have encompassed in the last
few years. It is hoped that this pamphlet will be
acceptable to those who are anxious to obtain
more information concerning the Twins, than it is
possible to procure from a few minutes' conversa-
tion in a crowded room ; and although it would
have been very easy to have increased its size, yet
that would have defeated the main object of the
publication, which was to give a short sketch at
so low a price as to be within the reach of all their

visitors.

October, 1836.

o5/

ACCOUNT

SIAMESE TWIJV BI£OTHEKS.

The kingdom of Siam is situated between the Chinese
and Burmese empires ; and Bunkok, which is the capital,
is in latitude 13 N. and longitude 101 E., on the river
Manaam, about 40 miles from the sea. This word,
" Manaam," means " Mother of Waters," and is a term
applied, iri Siam, to all large rivers. In order, however,
to distinguish different rivers, there is added to the word
" Manaam" the name of the largest town situated on
each — as, for instance, " Manaam Bunkok," " Manaam
Maklong," &c. " Manaam Bunkok" is the largest river
in Siam, and the city, which is on both sides of it, is a
place of great resort for business as well as pleasure, par-
ticularly during the months of April and May, when the
Chinese junks arrive daily. Some seasons as many as a
hundred and fifty junks of the largest size arrive at Bun-
kok, bringing immense numbers of Chinese emigrants, and
a variety of Chinese merchandise, and taking, as return
cargo, raw cotton and silk, and also sugar, oil, elephants'
teeth, ivory, logwood, &c.

These junks are of a very large size, and make but
one voyage a year, which they always perform when the
monsoon is favorable. Every junk is provided with a
large gong, instead of a bell, and whenever there is an
arrival or departure of a junk, it is the custom for those
at anchor to show their respect by firing off crackers,
and sounding their gongs. When there are a great number
of vessels at anchor, the noise is quite astounding. An-
other very singular custom is, that a female is never al-
lowed to make a passage in a junk ; and in many cases in

which females have got on board disguised in male attire,
and have afterwards been discovered, they have invariably
been thrown overboard. The building of a junk is an
affair of great moment, and attended with much form and
great attention to " times and seasons ;" the keel must be
laid on a particular day, at a particular hour ; and the tree
which is to form the mast must also be cut at a particular
time.

This superstitious adherence to particular' days and
hours appears very absurd in the detail, and many would
be inclined to cry out — what superstition ! ! ! what folly ! ! !
And yet it is no worse than the twins themselves have
met with in this country. On one occasion they stopped
for a few hours at the house of a family of Welsh descent,
in one of the charming valleys of the Alleghany mountains,
in Pennsylvania, and observing all the family (including
a venerable old lady, upwards of eighty years of age)
very busily employed in planting potatoes during a. very
severe rain storm, they asked why the planters did not
leave off work until the storm had ended ? The old lady
replied with the utmost gravity, that they were very anx-
ious to finish the planting during the dark of the moon ! ! !
And on another occasion, the twins enquired of a Dutch-
man in Ohio, why the shingles on his house presented so very
rough an appearance ; and the answer of the Dutchman
was, that the man who put on the shingles, forgetting to
look at the almanac, had clone the work at the most un-
lucky period of the moon's age ! ! But to our subject.

The population of Bunkok is about half a million, and
the city covers a very great extent of ground on each side
of the river. The King's palace is surrounded with a
wall which is about three miles in circumference. His
Majesty's household consists of about three thousand in-
dividuals, of whom seven hundred are Jus wives.

The people of this country and Europe know very little
about Siam, as the government only suffers Americans
and Europeans to come to Bunkok, and they are not
allowed to travel in the interior under any circumstances.
The Chinese, on the contrary, are allowed to trade with
every port, and to travel through every part of the country ;
in fact, at least one half the population of Siam are emi-
grants from China, and they have many more privileges
than the natives.

The natives of Siam, as soon as they become eighteen
or nineteen years of age, are compelled to work for the
government three months of each year, or to pay a fine ;
this applies to the men only. From this tax the Chinese
are exempt, and are required only to pay a small sum of
money, (about two dollars,) every two or three years for
the support of the state.

Chang and Eng* were born of Chinese parents, in May,
1811, at the city of Maklong, sixty miles from Bunkok.
Their mother has stated that they were very small, and
that she suffered no more inconvenience at their birth,
than at the birth of her other children. She has had, al-
together, nine children, of whom four were older, and
three younger, than Chang-Eng ; but none others were
twins, and only two remained alive when Chang-Eng left
home — viz. one brother and one sister.

They have had very little sickness. When they were
six or seven years of age, they had the small pox, and
shortly afterwards the measles, in which diseases they
were affected alike. Since that time they have had no
serious ailment, except the fever and ague, which they
had in Ohio in the year 1833, on which occasion they
were both affected by the chill and the fever precisely at
the same time.

In the year 1819, the Asiatic cholera raged in Siam with
great mortality ; Chang-Eng escaped the disease, but it
proved fatal to two of their brothers, and one sister; in-
deed, this disease not only attacked the inhabitants, but
also the cattle, poultry, and other living things. During
the prevalence of the disease in Siam, every precaution was
taken as to abstaining from crude vegetables and fruits ;
but in spite of every care the number of persons who fell
victims to it was so great, that the bodies were thrown in-
to the river, from the impossibility of giving them the usual
rites of burial, and the consequence was, that the water of
the river, which is used by the inhabitants, was rendered
putrid, and increased the mortality.

When their father died, Chang-Eng were only eight years
of age, and very soon after that time they began to assist
in the support of their mother, who had been left in strait-
ened circumstances, owing to the long illness of their fa-

* It may be observed that Eng is always on the right, and Chang on the
Ecft. Their names are pronounced as if spelt Chun and In.

ther. The first business in which they embarked was the
manufacturing of cocoa-nut oil, which is such a very labo-
rious employment that they found their strength unequal
to it, and were compelled to relinquish it. They after-
wards engaged in peddling, a business which is carried on
in Siam, almost as extensively as in the United States,
with this difference, however, that whereas the Yankee
pedlar has to provide a wagon and pair of horses, the Si-
amese has only to procure a boat and pair of oars.

Pedlars in Siam are compelled to take out a license and
pay a tax ; but Chang-Eng were exempted by special fa-
vor ; they say they were pretty keen at striking a bargain,
and seem to think that the roving merchants of Siam are
not a whit behind their brothers of Connecticut. Having
become tired of peddling, they next turned their attention to
the rearing of young ducks and dealing in eggs : and arti-
ficial heat being used in hatching, a great many more can
be reared than by the old plan. The favorite food of ducks,
in Siam, is a small shell-fish, for a supply of which Chang-
Eng went a considerable distance to sea, generally twice
a week, and sometimes oftener. Ever since then they have
been very much attached to the sea, enjoy a voyage, and
never recollect having been in the least sea-sick.

At Bunkok, ducks' eggs are a very merchantable com-
modity, and they are preserved in a singular manner, be-
ing first dipped in a very soft mixture of salt and clay, and
afterwards covered with dry ashes : they arc then as easily
handled as peaches or apples, and will continue fit for food
a couple of years. The twins remained in the duck and
egg trade until their departure for the United States, and
they left a very flourishing business to their brother.

They excited a good deal of curiosity in Siam, and many
persons called at their father's house to see them, especially
when they were very young. His majesty the king also,
having signified a desire to sec them, they went to Bunkok,
and saw not only his majesty, but also his seven hundred
wives ; some of whom made presents to the twins, as did
likewise the king. Since they left home, they have had
several opportunities of hearing of their mother — the last
time was in 1834, through the medium of a gentleman who
was sent, out in a U. S. frigate to Siam by President Jackson,
to negociate a treaty of commerce with the king, and who
saw the mother of the twins, and was able to assure her of

their having been in good health when he left the United
States.

This gentleman was' also interrogated by the king as
to whether he had heard of the twins, and whether they
had been kindly treated in this part of the world ; on all
which points his majesty was fully satisfied.

Chang-Eng left Siam on the 1st April, 1829, under the
protection of the captain of the American ship Sachem, with
whom an arrangement had been made by their mother and
themselves, under which arrangement the twins were to
come to the U. States ; but neither their mother nor they
thought it likely that they would be absent longer than 18
or 20 months.

They arrived at Boston on the ICth of August following,
and the twins remained in the United States until the mid-
dle of October, during which time they visited Providence,
Philadelphia and New- York ; from whence they embark-
ed for England, on board the ship Robert Edwards, com-
manded by Captain Sherburne, and were landed at Dart-
mouth, in Devonshire, in 27 days ; the ship was bound to
London, and after having landed a great many of her pas-
sengers, she was a longer time going from Dartmouth to
London, than she had been from New-York to Dartmouth ;
having encountered a succession of severe gales in the
British channel, and lost anchors and cables.

Having arrived in London, on the 19th of November,
the twins were visited on the 24th, at the Egyptian Hall,
in Piccadilly, by a great number of medical and scientific
men, some of whose names will be found annexed to a
statement in the conclusion of this pamphlet.

After remaining in London seven months, they took a
journey through England, stopping at Windsor, Reading,
Oxford, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bath, Bristol, Worces-
ter, Birmingham, and Liverpool ; from thence they went
to Glasgow, and from Glasgow to Edinburgh, Dundee and
Perth : returning once more to Glasgow, they took pas-
sage to Belfast, and went thence to Dublin, travelling
over the best road they have ever seen. They staid two
weeks in Dublin, and then crossed to Liverpool, from which
place they went to Chester, Manchester, Leeds, York,
Sheffield, Birmingham, and thence to London once more.
They remained in the metropolis a few weeks, and having
embarked at Portsmouth, on board the Cambria, Captain
Moore, they landed at New- York on the 4th March, 1831.

After the twins returned from England, they continued
to travel under the protection of the Captain, until the 1st
of June, 1832, when they became of age : up to that pe-
riod the twins had derived no benefit from their exhibitions,
&c. ; but since that time they have been acting altogether
on their own account.

The twins have travelled very extensively throughout
the United States, having visited all the states except Illi-
nois and Missouri ; they have also been in the territory of
Michigan, Upper and Lower Canada and the island of
Cuba. In making the tour of the United States, they tra-
velled in their own conveyance, which was much more plea-
sant for them, and enabled them not only to journey in any
direction which was most agreeable to themselves, but al-
so to stop at several places which they would not otherwise
have had it in their power to visit.

During their extended tour they have visited the Falls
of Niagara, and the Falls of Montmorency, near Quebec.
They also visited the Natural Bridge in Virginia, which
appeared to them a much more grand and solemn scene
than the Falls of Niagara; this no doubt arose from the
awful stillness which prevails at the bridge, and also from
the great height of the arch.

The twins are very expert, in the use of a gun, and take
great pleasure in hunting squirrels and birds ; in the west-
ern and southern states they had a good deal of sport, and
in the state of Alabama they were lucky enough to kill a
very large deer. They enjoy themselves a great deal
more in the country than they can in the cities and large
towns, as in the country they can put a gun on their
shoulder, and wander into the woods far enough to be free
from all annoyance ; whereas in a city they can only take
exercise in a carriage.

In the year 1835 they went to Paris, and remained in
that city several months, during which time they enjoyed
themselves very much ; having seen as many of the public
places as they could visit with comfort and convenience to
themselves. They went twice to the Garden of Plants,
in which is a splendid museum, a cabinet of comparative
anatomy, containing a collection of skeletons of various
animals, from the mouse to the elephant, and also a very
extensive and well arranged collection of living beasts and
birds, of all which the Giraffe seemed to attract most atten-

8

tion. They also visited the celebrated manufactory of
china, at Sevres ; the palace and gardens of St. Cloud ;
the church of the Magdalen ; the royal mint ; the grand
opera, &c. &c. — and they drove out repeatedly in the
Champs Elysees, and Bois de Boulogne.

From Paris they went to Brussels, and there they visit-
ed the palace which a few years ago belonged to the
Prince of Orange. There is also at Brussels a fine park
in the centre of the city, full of splendid timber ; this park
is only used as a place of recreation by the inhabitants,
and they feel very proud of it.

A rail-road has been constructed from Brussels to Ant-
werp, which attracted very great attention, in consequence
of its having been the first made in that part of Europe.
This road is very well constructed ; and one plan was ob-
served there, which, if the various rail-road companies in
the United States had adopted, it would have already pre-
vented many horrible accidents. This plan consists in
having gates at every point where the rail-road crosses a
public road ; and these gates are so placed that both the
public road and rail-road cannot be open at the same
time. At each of these points there is a watchman placed,
whose duty it is to look out for the approach of the rail
road cars, and as soon as he perceives them, he opens the
rail-road gates, by which the thoroughfare on the public
road is stopped until the rail-road cars have passed.

From Brussels the twins went to Antvvei p, which is a
very strongly fortified city, and has been celebrated in
former times for the number of sieges it has stood. Within
a few years it has been rendered famous on account of the
defence of the citadel by about 1500 Dutch troops under
Baron Chasse, against a French army of more than sixty
thousand, under Marshal Gerard. The Dutchmen held
out for more than three weeks, and after the French had
handed over the citadel to the Belgians, it was found ne-
cessary to rebuild it, so completely had it been demolished
by the cannonading of the French artillery. The city of
Antwerp is also famous for the number of painters who
reside there, and for its museum, in which are exhibited
specimens of painting, beginning with the first attempts
made in the infancy of the art, and ending with the elabo-
rate and highly finished works of living artists.

The churches here are very superb, and attract the at-
tention of strangers in consequence of the number and ex-

9

ccllence of the paintings with which they are ornamented*
The Cathedral of Notre Dame is one of the nohlest struc-
tures on the continent of Europe. It is 500 feet long, 230
feet wide, and the spire, which is remarkable for the beauty
of its architecture, is nearly 500 feet in height. The twins
chmbed to the top of it, but the view is very uninterest-
ing-, and hardly worth the trouble of the ascent.

The number of monks, nuns, priests, friars and soldiers,
m Antwerp, is so great, that a stranger would imagine
they formed one half of the population. The kingdom of
Belgium has a standing army of more than one hundred
and thirty thousand men, although the aggregate of her
population is under four millions.-

Holland and Belgium having been at war subsequent
to the Belgian Revolution of 1830, and no definite treaty
of peace having as yet been entered into between them,
both countries in consequence keep up very large standing
armies, and continue prepared for a renewal of the war ;
and it is a very general opinion, that if the Dutch were not
afraid of the interference of England and France, they
would very soon regain possession of the Belgian territory.
The most implacable hatred seems to exist between the
two nations, which is generally attributed to the fact of the
Dutch being Protestants, and the Belgians, Roman Catho-
lics.

Previous to the Belgian revolution, Antwerp was a place
of great trade, as the principal part of the Dutch East
India shipping sailed to and from it, which caused a great
demand for Belgian manufactures ; but since the separation
of the two countries, the Dutch merchants have moved their
establishments to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, and Antwerp
is in consequence rendered as still as a church-yard.

From Antwerp, the twins went to Rotterdam, after having
encountered much annoyance and delay, owing to the vexa-
tious police regulations between the two countries, which
rendered it necessary to procure from the Dutch government
a special permission to enter Holland, and also a permission
from the Belgian government to leave Belgium. Having
obtained the requisite papers, (as they supposed,) they started
for Rotterdam ; but when they reached the Belgian" frontier,
and showed their passport to the commanding officer, they
were informed that they could not pass the boundary, as
their passport had not the signature of the chief of the office
of public safety, which was indispensable. It was in vain
that the twins reasoned with him, stating that they had not

10

come into Belgium with any traitorous design, and that al-
lowing them to pass could not possibly endanger the safety
of the state ; and also stating how they had been misinformed
by the passport officer at Antwerp, who assured them that
their papers were all correct. But to all this the officer re-
plied civilly, but firmly, that he could not possibly take the
responsibility of letting any one pass, whose passport had not
the signature of Monsieur Francois. Finally, they were
obliged to go back again to Brussels, at a considerable loss of
time and patience, not to say a word about the expense.

Having obtained the requisite signature, they made a fresh
start, and were then in considerable perplexity, until they
had ascertained whether their Dutch passport was all right ;
this, fortunately, was the case, and they at length reached
Rotterdam, having passed through Breda and Dortrecht.

As soon as they had alighted at the hotel at Rotterdam, a
paper was put before them to be filled up and sent to the
police ; the blanks having the following headings in the Dutch,
French and English languages. 1st. The sir name and
christian name of the traveller. 2nd. His age. 3d. His
profession. 4th. Place of nativity. 5th. Usual place of
abode. Gth. Whence he comes. 7th. Where he is going.
8th. To whom he is known in the place. 9th. Where he
slept last night. 10th. The object of his journey. 11th How
long he intends to remain; and the 12th column is for gene-
ral observations ! ! !

A good deal is sometimes said about Yankee curiosity, but
Dutch curiosity goes a little ahead of it. Some Dutchmen,
who, on being spoken to, seemed to be a little ashamed of so
inquisitorial a system, defended it on the ground that many
persons come into the country to act as spies, and furnish
information to the Belgian government.

Rotterdam, like all other Dutch towns, has canals running
through the middle of the streets, with trees on each side ; it
has considerable trade to various parts of the world, and is
the starting point of the steamboats which ascend the Rhine ;
tiiis, of course, makes it the resort of immense numbers of
English and other travellers. There are three steamboats a
week from London, and one boat from Hull, which ply regu-
larly to Rotterdam, and during the travelling season, carry
great numbers of passengers. From Rotterdam the twins
went to the Hague, where the King of Holland resides, and
also where the states general or Dutch parliament hold their
sittings. It is a most beautiful town, and close adjoining to
it, there is a charming wood about two miles long and three-
quarters of a mile wide, which is used as a promenade by the

11

inhabitants. In this wood is a small but very neat palace,
with delightful gardens ; to this " palace in the wood," as it
is called, the royal family go frequently during the summer,
to drink tea and walk in the gardens. The twins took a
ramble through the wood three or four times, and also saw
the palaee and its gardens. The apartments of the* palace
arc handsome, and contain a choice collection of pictures ;
there is an apartment called the painted saloon, which is truly
magnificent. The museum at the Hague, which they also
visited, is well worthy of the attention of a stranger, contain-
ing a very extensive collection of curiosities, of which a great
portion are from China and Japan. There is also a very
large collection of paintings, amongst which is the celebrated
cattle piece, by Paul Potter, which, is considered the most
perfect picture that has ever been painted. The annual fair
was held at the Hague when the twins were there, and it
afforded them an opportunity of seeing Dutchmen in all their
glory.

From the Hague they went to Amsterdam, which is a fine,
well built city, with a population exceeding 200,000, and a
very extensive trade. The number of canals through the
city is so great as to require three hundred bridges. In Am-
sterdam the bridges are built of stone, and do not admit any
vessels to pass, the masts of which cannot be lowered ; but
at Rotterdam, on the contrary, all the canals have draw-
bridges, by which means vessels of a considerable size are
brought into the canals, which gives much facility, as the
vessels can in many cases be brought under the windows of
the warehouses.

The twins having learned that a fine American brig, the
Francia, captain Edwards, was preparing to sail for New
York, they engaged passage, and passing through the ship
canal, had an opportunity of seeing that fine work. It is cal-
culated for vessels drawing thirteen feet water, and extends
from Amsterdam to the Tcxel, a distance of sixty-seven miles.
The country through which it passes is very fertile, and being
perfectly level, was well suited for the construction of such
a work.

They landed at New York on the 7th of August, 1836, and
were forcibly struck with the difference of bustle and business
at New York, when contrasted with the quiet and stillness
which prevail at Amsterdam. But there is another thing
which is well calculated to show the difference of the two
cities in a still stronger light ; namely — the fact that in Am-
sterdam, with two hundred thousand inhabitants, there are
only two newspapers ; in New York they are almost num-
berless.

12

Having thus given a few slight sketches of the early days
of the twins, and also of the countries which they have visit-
ed, it only remains to allude to the wonderful union of their
bodies, which has rendered them the subject of very intense
interest in every place where they have travelled.

They are united to each other by a ligature or band, about
three and a half inches in length, and eight in circumference,
formed at the extremity of the breast bone of each, and ex-
tending downwards to the abdomen. The upper part of the
band is a strong cartilaginous substance ; the lower part is
soft and fleshy, and contains a tube or cavity, presumed to
be about an inch and a half in circumference. Great differ-
ence of opinion exists among medical men, concerning the
contents of this cavity.

On the lower edge of the band, exactly in the centre, is
situated the umbilicus or navel, there being but one in com-
mon between them. If the band by which the bodies are
connected be touched in the centre, both are equally sensible
of it ; but if half an inch from the centre, it is only felt by
one.

The question of the probable success of an attempt to sepa-
rate the twins by a surgical operation, has, naturally enough,
teen often discussed amongst professional men. In the Unit-
ed States and England, the Faculty, with very few exceptions,
thought it would be attended with fatal results ; whilst on the
continent of Europe every medical man who had an opportu-
nity of examining them, declared that there would be no more
chance of their surviving such an operation, than of surviving
the cutting off their heads. The twins can only walk in one
position, but the flexibility of the cartilage is so great, that
they can readily turn those shoulders outwards which are
close together when they walk ; indeed, it is probable, that if
attention had been paid to the subject, they might have been
taught to walk either way. Eng is 5 feet 2 inches in height,
and Chang one inch shorter ; but to obviate the inconvenience
arising from this, Chang has soles to his boots sufficiently
thick to raise him on a level with his brother. Although
they stand so close together, yet they do not seem to be at
all in each other's way, and whatever movement is made by
one is responded to so. immediately by the other, that it seems
as if they were moved by the same impulse. They never
thwart or oppose each other in any way, and it may there-
fore be set down as certain, that they present one of the few,
if not indeed the only case, in which two persons have lived
together twenty-five years, without even one little quarrel.
They can run very fast for a short distance, and have some-

13

times walked eight or ten miles when they have had some-
thing to interest them ; they also can swim very well for a
short distance.

They generally have a very good appetite, and almost in-
variably partake of the same food.

They have adopted the American style of dress in every
thing except the hair, which is three feet in length, and is
worn by them braided in the Chinese style ; in doing which,
in washing, dressing, or in any other occupation, they require
no assistance, each acting for himself with as perfect ease as
would one individual. They appear to be as nearly as pos-
sible alike in their friendship for particular persons, and also
in their preference of places ; and in their dislikes they are
equally as uniform.

While in bed they are not confined to any particular posi-
tion, but rest on either side, as may best suit their convenience,
generally, however, with their faces towards each other.
They usually sleep quite soundly, and almost invariably
awake at the same moment.

They seldom speak one to the other ; but this is not very
surprising, when it is recollected that they have always been
placed in the same circumstances, and that their sphere of
observation has been bounded by the same limits. They
play chess and draughts tolerably well, but it affords them no
amusement to play these games in opposition to each other.
They have learned to read and write sufficiently to amuse
themselves during their hours of relaxation. They can drive
a carriage with perfect ease, and prefer taking exercise in a
gig to any other mode of conveyance, and although they have
been upset very often, yet they have never received the least
hurt.

There are annexed for the satisfaction of the curious and
scientific, three papers : 1st. A statement signed by the. most
eminent professors of surgery and medicine of London. 2d.
Extracts from a paper read before the Royal Society of Lon-
don, on 1st April, 1830, by George B. Bolton, Esq., who was
the medical attendant of the twins in London. 3d. Extracts
from a paper by Drs. Sam'l. L. Mitchill and Wm. Anderson,
of New York.

14

Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly Nov. 24th, 1839.

CHANG &f ENG — Two youths, born in the kingdom
of Siam, whose bodies are, by a wonderful caprice of nature,
united together as one, arrived in London on Thursday, Nov.
19th, and on Tuesday 24th, were submitted to the examina-
tion of the most eminent professors of Surgery and Medicine
of the Metropolis, as well as some other gentlemen of scientific
and literary pursuits, in order that through their report, (if
favbrab 7 e,) the public may be assured that the projected exhi-
bition of these remarkable and interesting youths is in no
respect deceptive ; and further, that there is nothing whatever
offensive to delicacy in the said exhibition.

These youths have passed their eighteenth year, are in
possession of full health and extraordinary bodily strength ;
display all the f acid ties of the mind in their fullest extent ;•
and seem in fact in every respect to enjoy a state of perfect
happiness and contentment.

* # * The Youths having been thus introduced to the British Public, were
visited on that day by the following distinguished persons, among; many
others, who testified their entire approbation of the exhibition, and obligingly
gave it the sanction of their names.

(Signed by)
HON's. LEIGH THOMAS, President of the Royal College of Surgeons,

Astley Cooper,
Thomas Copeland,
R. C. Headington,
W.B. Lynn,
B. C. Brodie,
B. Travers,
Charles Locock,
Francis Hawkins,
James A. Wilson,
E. C. Thomas,
W. Reid Clanney,

,T. Frost,
William Blizard,
Joseph H. Green,
George Langstaff,
Jamel Luke,
Henry Halford,
J. M. Latham,
John Webster,
Wm. Babington,
J. A. Paris,
George Birkbeck,

Anth. Carlisle,
J. Macbraire,
J. D. Broughton,
J. Harrison Curtis,
William Clift,
John Ashburner,
William Manning,
Edward Stanley,
E. H. Phillips,
Henry Hunt,
John Scott, &c.

Having seen and examined the two Siamese youths, Chang
and Eng, I have great pleasure in affirming they constitute a
most extraordinary Lusus Naturae, the first instance I have
ever seen of a double living child ; they being totally devoid
of deception, afford a very interesting spectacle, and they are
highly deserving of public patronage.

(Signed,)

JOSHUA BROOKS.

Extracts from a paper read before the Royal Society, London,

April 1st, 1830, by G. B. Bolton, Esq.
******** a The band of union is formed in the
following manner : At the lowest part of the sternum of each boy,

15

the ensiform cartilage is bent upwards and forwards, meeting the
other in the middle of the upper part of the band, where moveable
joints exist, which admit of vertical as well as lateral motion, each
junction appearing to be connected by ligamentous structures. It
is difficult to define precisely where the respective cartilages from
each body meet, and whether a slip from one of the cartilages of
the false ribs enters into the structure of these parts ; but it is certain
that the ensiform cartilages have assumed an extended and altered
figure. The cartilaginous portion occupies the upper region of
the band. The outline of the band is convex above and arched
below. Under the cartilage, while they stand in their ordinary pos-
ture, arc large hernial sacs, opening into each abdomen, and into
which, on coughing, congenital herniae arc forced, probably in each
boy formed by a transverse portion of the arch of the colon : gene-
rally, however, and under ordinary circumstances, these herniae
arc not apparent. Whether there is a communication between the
two abdominal cavities, or a distinct peritoneal sac, belonging to
each hernia, is by no means obvious. ******

" When these herniae protrude, their respective contents are
•pushed forwards as far as the middle of the band. The entire band
is covered with common integument ; and when the youths face
each other, its length at the upper edge is two, and at the lower,
not quite four inches. From above, downwards, it is three inches
and a quarter, and its greatest thickness is one inch and five-eighths.
In the centre of the lower part of this band, which presents a thin
edge, formed only by skin and cellular substance, there is the cica-
trix of a single navel, showing where the umbilical cord or cords
had entered, and which, I have no doubt, contained two sets of
vessels. Small blood vessels and nerves must of course traverse
the substance of the band. ********
I have had an opportunity of examining a preparation of united
female twins, now in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons
in London. The union extends from the lower part of the sternum
of each twin to the navel ; and there is one umbilical cord common
to both. On dissection, the following appearances were observed.
The umbilical vein, in its course towards the twins, is divided into
two nearly equal sized branches, the division taking place about one
inch and three quarters from the umbilicus ; one branch passing
upwards in front to the porta of the anterior liver, and the other be-
hind to ils proper liver. The number of arteries are four, two from
each foetus, and arc included in the same theca with the umbilical
vein as far as the body, retaining the appearance of an ordinary
funis." *

Extracts from a paper by Drs. SanCl. L. Mitchill and Wm. Ander-
son, of New York.
* * * * « The ensiform cartilage at the end of each
sternum is united to its fellow, and has been in part ossified, form-

16

tng a hard elastic upper edge to the band which connects fhoso
boys. This is convex upward and concave below, becoming the*
upper boundary of a canal, which is in the band that communicates
with the abdominal cavities of both the youths ; from which fact, the
canal is necessarily lined by a continuation of the natural peritoneal
membrane of the cavities, and the whole of this is covered by com-
mon integuments. At about midway in the under edge of the band,
is exhibited the cicatrix of an umbilicus, showing wherein the single
cord, but no doubt containing two sets of vessels, entered, for the
nourishment of these two children before birth.

"Into the canal of this almost cylindrical band, there is a protru-
sion of the viscus from the abdomen of its respective boy, upon
every effort of coughing or other exercise ; and these protrusions,
from their particular hardness and size, more at sometimes than
others, we might suppose to be made up of any of the abdominal
viscera, as intestine, liver, stomach, or spleen, as each should hap-
pen, in the various positions of their bodies, to be presented to the
openings, since we believe that parts of every abdomen or pelvic
viscus, excepting the kidneys, have been found from time to time to
enter into the composition of hernial tumors.

" A question has arisen, which has been discussed with some
warmth, whether they could be separated with safety. We think
they could not ; and would barely refer to the experience of Scarpa
and Sir Astley Cooper, with whom might be included a host of
others, quite familiar to the well-read surgeon, for a decision upon
the ill-success of the operation for exomphalos. Dionis, you know,
says, in relation to the operation for umbilical hernia, • that those
who have the misfortune to be afflicted with an exomphalos, should
rather dispense with a shirt than a well-adapted truss ;' and Acister
says much about the same thing. Sir Astley Cooper has said, in
the hearing of one of the writers in his public lectures more than
twenty years ago, ' Gentlemen, I have operated for umbilical her-
nia once, and shall never do it again ;' hinting at the general fatal
issue of the operation then in practice, since he had cut into the peri-
toneal cavity at the umbilicus. Professor Scarpa, the acknowledged
distinguished anatomist and surgeon, speaks of the great fatality of
the usual operation for exomphalos ; and recommends the one,
when necessary, which has of late been in practice by Sir Astley
Cooper, which consists in dividing the stricture and performing the
whole operation without cutting into any part of the hernial sac, or
peritoneal membrane, under which circumstances it has with Sir
Astley Cooper been twice successful. Now if such an operation
could be practicable, for the liberation of these boys, then it might
be deemed advisable, other permissions co-operating ; but since
any cutting accomplishing their separation, (if our description of
their connexion be correct,) would expose the peritoneal cavity,
then, in that situation, it would be attended with the most dangerous
consequences."

THE END.

The Twins have visited Ike following places in JYorth

winierica.

MAINE. — Portland, Kennebunk, Saco.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.— Portsmouth, Exeter, Dover, Haverhill, Hanover.
VERMONT.— Middlebury, Castlcton, Vergennes, Burlington, Montpelier, Chelsea, Wood-
., Windsor, Brattlehoro', Bennington.

SACHUSETTS.— Boston, Worcester, New Bedford, Nantucket, Springfield, North-
emp'on, Salem, Newburyport, Lowell, Andover, Dcdham, Taunton, Fall River, Mcthuen,
Haverhill.
RHODE ISLAND.— Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsucket, Slaterville.
CONNECTICUT.— Hartford, New Haven, Middletown, Norwich, N. London, Bridgeport.
NEW YORK.— City of New York, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Catskill, Hudson,
Albany. Troy, Salem, Sandy Hill, Glenn's Falls, Whitehall, Plattsburg, Schenectady, Coopers-
town, Hartu ick, Noith New Beilin, South New Berlin, Norwich, Smyrna, Sheiburne, Deruy-
ter, Delphi, Fabius, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Log City, Hamilton, Madison, Wateiville, Clinton,
Utica, Syracuse, Skeneatelas, Elbridge, Auburn, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Geneva, Canandai-
ena, West Mention, Rochester, Lockport, Buffalo, Wesifield,Mayville, Jamestown, Ellicotville,
Angelica, Hornellsville, Bath, Painted Post, Big Flats, Elmira, Horseheads, Havana, Newfield,
Trumansburg, Ithaca, Homer, Cortland, Newark, Richford, Owego, Binghampton, Greene,
Oxford.

NEW- JERSEY.— Newark, Morristown.

PENNSYLVANIA. — Philadelphia, Easton, Bethlehem, Reading, Lancaster, Harrisburg,
Carlisle, Chambersburg, Greencastlc, Gettysburg, York, Columbia, Shippensburg, Bedford,
McConnelstown, Somerset, Mount Pleasant, Greensburg, Pittsburg, Washington, Cannons-
burg Erie, Burgettstown.

OHIO. — Salem, Ashtabula, Warren, Poland, New Lisbon, Canfield. Youngstown, Wells-
ville, Steubenville, St. Clairsville, Morristown, Barnesville, Washington, Cambridge, Zanesville,
Gratiot, Brownsville, Newark, Granville, Utica, Mount Vernon, Gambier, Sunbury, Worthing-
ton, Columbus, Springfield, Dayton, Miamieburg, Middletown, Hamilton, Oxford, Springdale,
Reading, Cincinnati, Mjlford, Balavia, Williamsburg, Bethel, Felicity, Georgetown, Ripley,
Lebanon, Xcnia, Wilmington, Washington, Leesburg, Hillsborough, Bainbridge, Chillicothe,
Circleville, Lancaster, Qeaveland, Cha?rin, Painesville, Elyria, Norwalk, Lower Sandusky, •
Hudson, Ravenna, Middlebury ,'Massillon, Canton, New Philadelphia, Cadiz, Piketon, Poits*.
mouth, West Union.

INDIANA.— New Albanv, Jcffersontown.

KENTUCKY.— Maysvilfe, Washington, Mayslick, Paris, Centerrille, Georgetown, Lex-
ington, Versailles, Frankfort, Shelbyville, Louisville, Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg,
Danville, Stanfoid, Lancaster, Nicholasville, Richmond, Winchester, Mount Sterling, Owings.
ville, Richmond, Flemingsburgh, Cailisle, Millersburgh, Cynthiana, Augusta, Greensburg,
Columbia, Glasgow, Scottsville, Bowling Green, Russellville, Elkton, Hopkinsville.
TENNESSEE.— Nashville.

ALABAMA.— Huntsville, Ath< ns, Florence, Tuscumbia, Russellville, Lagrange, Couitland,
Moulton, Decatur, Mooresville, Triana, Summeiville, Elyton, Tuskaloosa, Mobile, Claiborne,
Prairie Bluff, Linden, Demopolis, Erie, Greensborough, Marion, Cahawba, Selma, Vernon,
Washington, Montgomery, Wetumpka.

MISSISSIPPI.— Columbus, Vicksburg, Wairenton, Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, Rodney, Fay-
ette, Washington, Natchez, Kingston, Wocdville, Foit Adams, Pinkneyville.
LOUISIANA.— Bayou Sara, Jackson, Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, New Oilcans.
GEORGIA.— Columbus, Talbolton, Macon, Clinton, Forsyth, Jackson, McDonorgh, Cov-
ington Monroe, Athens, Lcx'u gton, Washington, Crawfoidsville, Greensboro', Eatonton, Mil*
le, Spaita, Wairenton, Augusta, Savannah, Lincolnton, Columbia Couit House. '
SOUTH CAROLINA— ChaiUston, Orargcbiugh, Columbia, Winnsbororgh, Chester-
rille, Yorkville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Lancaster, Union, Spartanbuig, Greenville, Pickensville
Pendleton, Andei son, Abbeville, Willii gton, Edgefield, Nevvbeny, Camden, Statesborough!
Sumterville, Kiigstree, Geoigetown.

NORTH CAROLINA.-Charlctte, Concord, Salisbury, Lexington, Salem, Germantown,
Caswell. Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Averysborough, Fayetteville.

tGINIA.— Frederick sbuig, Richmond, Petersbuig, Norfolk, Wythe Court House, New-

Mil

ville, Nelson, New Glasgow, Lynchbmgb, Campbell Couit House, r PiUsylvania°Coutt"House"

Danvil e. '

MARYLAND.— Baltimore, Frederick, Hfger>B Town, Ellicott's Mills, Rockville Poolesvillr

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.-Washington City, Georgetown, Alexandria.

MICHIGAN.— Detroit.

LOWER CANADA.— Montreal and Quebec.

UPPER CANADA.— Amherstbuig and Sandwich.
AND OF CUBA— Havana arid Matanzas.